Improved composition for the soles and heels of boots and shoes



filmed. Sister NATHANIEL JENKINS, OF

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

Letters Patent No. 83,637, dated November 3, 1868.

IIMIROVED COMPOSITION FOR THE SOLES AND HEELS OF BOOTS AND SHOES.

The Schedule referred to in these Letters Patent and making part ofthe'same.

To all to whom these presents shall come:

This invention has for its principal object, eoonomizing the productionof a material for the heels of boots and for other purposes, which,while being semi-elasticin its nature, shall have durablewearing-qualities, the said invention consisting mainly inthecombination of caoutchouc and raw hide, minor conditions of theinvention being the addition to such compound of materials for changingthe color, or increasing the specific gravity thereof, the whole beingas hereinafter explained.

The use of oaoutchouc, or India rubber, is now very general for thesoles and heels of boots and shoes, but is objected to in many instanceson account of its cost as compared with other materials, as well as wantof lasting wearing-qualities.

By the employment of my invention, I am enabled to reduce the expense ofthe material for the abovementioncd purposes, by combining withcaoiitchouc or rubber a material, which,.while being much cheaper, addsvastly to the tenacity and wearing-qualities of such caoutchouc orrubber. I

In carrying out-my present invention, I take caontchouc in sheets orslices, and spread thereon raw hide, reduced to as'finely a powderedstate as is practicable, and roll'into or thoroughly incorporate suchraw hide with the caoutchouc, the proportion being about two fifths ofgum to three-fifths of raw hide.

cing the cost of the combined caoutohouc and hide, by

other respects, I have contemplated adding to it either one or more ofthe following ingredients, that is, Paris white, lamp-black, plumbago,or French chalk, in a powdered state.

Should either or all of these be employed, the powder is to be mixedwith the raw hide, and incorporated with the oaoutohouc, as beforementioned.

Substances, other than the four above mentioned, may, however,be-employed for effecting substantially equivalent results, withoutvarying the characteristic feature of my invention.

I would remark, that for the sake of economy in several respects, I havenot contemplated subjecting the above-mentioned compound to the ordinaryvulcanizing-process.

practice demonstrate it to be essential or desirable,

I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of theUnited States 'before explained.

V 2. The addition, to a compound of caoutchouo and raw hide, of a lessexpensive and heavier substance or substances, to produce results beforedescribed.

Witnesses: NATHL JENKINS. FRED. CURTIS,

EDWARD GRIFFITH.

For the purpose of changing the color, or of redu adding to its specificgravity, without injury to it in It will be evident that this may bedone, should 1. A combination of caoutchouc, or India rubber, I and rawhide, in suitable proportions, for the piu'poses

